San Francisco Giants skipper Bruce Bochy is known for having an almost prescient ability to rearrange his lineups to get the most out of every game, and he certainly looked like a genius today against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Bochy moved newcomer Miguel Tejada into the leadoff spot for today’s game, something he hasn’t done since 1999, and went 2-5 with 2 runs and 2 RBI for the day. Not many people (including myself) saw that one coming. Then he replaced Pablo Sandoval with Mark DeRosa at third, and what did he do? He went 2-5 with 2 runs and 2 RBI as well. Hmmm, what is he seeing that we’re all missing?
The biggest exchange for today’s game in my opinion was starting Aaron Rowand in center instead of Andres Torres. Some people believe that Rowand won’t last the entire season with the team as he is basically the oddest mad out on the roster. But he showed his value today, hitting two clutch singles and also scoring a run. Bochy’s adjusted lineup absolutely smoked the Dodgers today, now the question will be what about tomorrow?
Unfortunately @CSNGiants tweeted after the game that Buster Posey is likely out tomorrow as he is feeling the affects of fouling a ball off his shin, so there’s one down. But other than that, it’s all fair game for the tomorrow’s lineup. Bochy will have to do some serious thinking about who will start and where, but it will be a mystery to all until the lineup is announced.
As I mentioned yesterday, closer Brian Wilson will throw a simulated game on Sunday, and if all is a go, will be activated from the DL on Wednesday, just in time to face the Padres in the second game of their two game series.
For more discussion and analysis, head over to our Giants blog, McCovey Chronicles, to get in on the action.